BA (Hons) Business Studies (Top-up)

Course detail
During this course, you will:
Develop a critical understanding of ethical principles
Practice and an awareness of effective management practice
Choose a specialism from a broad range of optional modules on offer
Gain an understanding of the many contexts in which business operate
Tailor the course to match your personal interests and professional needs.
Level 6 modules
Strategic Management
Enterprise and Social Responsibility
Contemporary Issues in Management (Graduate Project)
International Business.
Plus two options from:
International Business Finance
Financial Management
Consumer Behaviour
Global Marketing
Human Resource Management Issues
Managing Small and Medium Enterprise
Employee Relations
Project Management.
Module summaries

Strategic Management
The purpose of the module is to build on the concepts and approaches to business policy developed at level five. The integrated nature of strategic management decisions will be emphasised and case studies will be used to show how strategic management applies to a range of business and not-for-profit organisations.

The emphasis will be on strategic options, evaluation and choice and on the implementation issues in strategy. You will be encouraged to develop analytical skills, creative thinking and ability to present conclusions based on critical evaluation of information.

Enterprise and Social Responsibility
This module critically examines current debates addressing the nature of the enterprise and its role in society. The implications of creating and sustaining an 'enterprise culture' are identified and examined, and diverse approaches to entrepreneurship appraised.
Society relies on entrepreneurship for wealth creation but at the same time increasingly expects the entrepreneurial venture to be accountable for its actions the implications of this trend are examined for both the individual and the different forms of organisation.
We will discuss contemporary concerns relating to the need for effective corporate citizenship and governance structures, together with the causes of emerging calls for improved corporate accountability. We will examine the specific context of the nature and purpose of wealth creation, and the contemporary environment created by an enterprise culture and the enterprise economy.
Contemporary Issues in Management (Graduate Project)
This module is designed to further prepare students for the working environment they will be entering on completion of their courses (or are currently in). You will be expected to apply the academic knowledge they have gained to practical situations/problem solving in the workplace.

This module, whist challenging, will give students the opportunity to investigate and work on an issue/problem in a way that might be expected of them in the workplace.

International Business
This module critically examines the major issues faced by companies engaged in identifying and developing their overseas operations.

The study of International Business straddles a variety of different disciplines, and this module deals with the problems of international operations from the perspective of economics and politics as well as the functional disciplines of finance, marketing, human resource management and operations management.

Most importantly, it seeks to show how the international economic and political environment serves to act as a very powerful influence over how company policies are set.

International Business Finance
This module explains and discusses the function and purpose of financial markets and corporate finance with a focus on the international environment.

The following areas are explored:
capital markets
sources of funds and market efficiency
business valuations and mergers and acquisitions
the management of risk in particular foreign currency and interest rate risk
international investment
the theoretical arguments and models relating to risk and return are examined.
Financial Management
This module explains and discusses the function and purpose of Corporate Financial Management. We will consider sources of short term finance and policies with regard to working capital.

Ways of managing specific categories of working capital such as stock and debtors are explored and investment appraisal and decision making is developed to cover more complex situations including dealing with uncertainty.
Calculation of cost of capital and consideration of when this is an appropriate measure to use in decision making leads on to the capital structure debate and gearing and other ratios used to interpret the financial position of the company. Finally how much of the company’s earning to distribute to shareholders via dividends is investigated.

Consumer Behaviour

This module enables students with an interest in consumer behaviour and marketing decision-making to develop their knowledge beyond level five. The module will allow you to focus on buyer behaviour and its marketing applications for specific marketing decisions such as those concerned with products, distribution, pricing and promotion.
The module aims to show how an understanding of buyer behaviour ie: ‘what makes customers tick’ can help marketers focus more effectively on customers’ needs and wants.

Global Marketing
This module adopts a strategic approach to the study of marketing and communication in a global context. The module builds upon the knowledge gained in the level one and two marketing modules or equivalent and applies these to the global marketing arena, but with a greater focus on the strategic perspective.
It builds an understanding of the global trading environment, differences in buyer/consumer behaviour and how global marketing analysis, strategies, and courses can be developed, organised and implemented.
Human Resource Management Issues
This module builds upon the learning outcomes achieved in Organisation Behaviour and Human Resource Management in Context. The module gives you a platform to investigate current issues influencing the allocation and effectiveness of people in employment.

It will focus on giving you the opportunity to explore the multidisciplinary nature, complexity of constructing strategies and policies in Human Resource matters.

Managing Small and Medium Enterprises
Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) constitute the fastest growing sector of both the UK and European economies, a trend which is reflected globally. These organisations also now employ the majority of the UK workforce.

SMEs present a series of unique and specific management challenges which are addressed and critically evaluated in this module. The approach taken encompasses a range of business disciplines, and particularly examines the issues facing SMEs wishing to attract fresh investment capital.
The module investigates business development routes and methods for the entrepreneurial firm, and for organisations with an entrepreneurial culture. Paths to growth and methods of development are identified and appraised. The module also examines how a firm's structure, processes and values affect its capability to build sustainable growth and generate new business.

Project Management
The Project Management module provides a base level of key skills used by project managers in order to manage projects successfully. The module is not specific to any one industry but covers the basic principles of project management that apply in all industries and to projects of all sizes.
There are many examples of projects, ranging from:
Large projects such as Heathrow Terminal 5 and the Channel Tunnel.
Medium sized projects such as reorganising a factory or developing new computer software.
Small projects such as a new marketing campaign or putting on a rock concert.
The teaching sessions combine lectures with group discussions to allow us to fully explore and understand the concepts. Individual practical exercises help consolidate the learning of specific Project Management skills. All sessions involve Tutor led class discussions.
You will be required to produce a plan for a project of your choice that is assessed. There will also be an examination at the end of the module.
Employee Relations
This module investigates the factors that lead to regulation of employment relationships. It evaluates the role and contribution the parties make in constructing, implementing rules and procedures designed to promote order, fairness and efficiency in organisations and the wider society.